St Pauls Cathedral appoints new dean

The Very Rev Dr David Ison has been appointed as the new Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Dr Ison, 57, is currently serving as the Dean of Bradford, a role he has been in since 2005. He succeeds the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles, who resigned last October amid the controversy surrounding the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest camp that appeared outside the cathedral.

Dr Ison will take up his new post following his installation at St Paul’s on 25 May.

His appointment was welcomed by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, who said Dr Ison had the “ideal credentials to take on the challenge” of the role.

Dr Chartres acknowledged the renewed interest in the cathedral in the light of the Occupy protests.

“Rarely before has St Paul's role at the centre of both the Church in London, and at the heart of this great, world city, been more keenly felt than now, in the wake of the Occupy protest,” he said.

“With that dual responsibility comes an ongoing need and opportunity for the Cathedral to provide an important and relevant outlet for prayer, reflection and debate, accessible to all Londoners and to those from around the globe, who flock to this international heritage site.”

Dr Chartres paid tribute to Rev Knowles, saying he was sorry to see him go.

“Graeme accomplished a great deal in his time at the cathedral, which should not be overshadowed by the events that led to his departure,” he said.

“He will be missed and I wish him well in his next role.”

Dr Ison expressed his desire to see the cathedral play a role in the ongoing debate on the issues raised by the Occupy protest.

“St Paul’s position in London life, and within the Church, is unique. Its status has been brought even more sharply into focus following the events of the past few months, with the appearance of the Occupy camp,” he said.

“The protestors may now have moved on but a number of the issues they brought to the fore cannot be ignored and the Cathedral has an important part to play in ensuring they are amplified and addressed.”

He spoke of his desire to partner with Christian churches, other dioceses and different faith traditions, as well as businesses and civic institutions.

“The cathedral is crucially located at the heart of an interconnected London,” he said.

“I especially look forward to getting to know the staff and community of St Paul's, and exploring with them the particular ways in which the Cathedral can serve the whole of the capital.”

Dr Ison was born and brought up in Brentwood, Essex, and has been Dean of Bradford since 2005. He served his title at St Nicholas and St Luke Deptford, south London, from 1979 to 1985, while also writing a PhD in church history at King’s College, London to develop skills to work in training people for ministry.

From 1985 to 1988 he was lecturer at the Church Army Training College in Blackheath and took up roles in the Diocese of Coventry, then at Exeter Cathedral, before moving to Bradford.